Need tips for Olympus 800-UZ

[amateurpikchik]

I recently decided to go a step beyond the camera that I had (a point & shoot canon powershot) and I got an Olympus 800UZ. But now I fear that it may be too much camera for me. I keep reading the manual and am getting no where with it. I can't seem to focus too well right now. I want to be able to effectively use the other settings on my camera aside from constantly having it on auto. I'm not claiming to be good at picture taking, but I enjoy it and would like to be better at it. I have always loved taking pictures and have always been referred to as a camera junkie. But I have never used a camera on anything besides auto. Can anyone give me some tips and step by steps on implementing these steps? I would appreciate it. I learn better by doing, and the manual doesn't give you "homework".

I hate to tell you this, but you still have a point and shoot camera. Now you have one with a big zoom lens.. and a ton of features that may or may not help you with photography. Number one piece of advice is.. get a simple tripod. You are going to want to use that zoom, but there is no way you are going to hold it still enough to get sharp photos.. I don't care what the marketing people want you to believe.

NEVER use digital zoom. You can crop your photos in software and get FAR better results.

Here is a link to the Oly America site. Near the top center of the page, look for a button that says "Video Guides".. It will show you how to set up your camera and discuss some basic settings..

SP-800UZ

Good luck!

[audiman90]

When taking photos with long lens the rule of thumb is, If your focal length is 100mm then the minimum exposure should be 1/100s, 200mm 1/200s, 500mm 1/500s and so on.

Unfortunately with this type of camera I find it impossible to focus in manual mode and have to rely on auto focus. this takes quite a bit of practice to get it right so keep trying.